Knowledge of the health personnel involved in the fluoride varnish therapy programs of primary schools in Tehran, Iran.

INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization (WHO) places great importance on oral health promotion programs in schools, given that approximately one billion people worldwide are students. This demographic not only includes the students themselves, but also extends to school staff, their families, and the broader community, all of whom are interconnected. The objectives of this study were firstly to assess the knowledge of health personnel conducting fluoride varnish treatment (FVT) in schools, and secondly to solicit their views on the effectiveness of their training methods. METHODS: Data was collected from health personnel involved in FVT in schools, supervised by medical universities in Tehran province, using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into four sections: demographic information, methods of receiving FVT training, respondents' knowledge regarding FVT, and opinions about the effectiveness of FVT training methods. The questionnaire was distributed via social media, phone conversations, and email. The collected data was analyzed using Mann-Whitney in SPSS Version 26. A regression model was also fitted to the data. RESULTS: The present study included 403 participants. Among various educational methods, it was found that participation in previous workshops (P = 0.001) and FVT workshops (P = 0.013) was significantly correlated with a higher FVT knowledge score. Additionally, participation in previous oral health promotion programs was significantly associated with a higher knowledge score (P < 0.05). Therefore, a history of participating in previous health promotion programs significantly contributed to the participants' knowledge. CONCLUSION: Participation in previous oral health programs was found to be significantly correlated with a higher knowledge score. The effectiveness of training programs can be attributed to participation in previous workshops and FVT workshops. This study provided insights into potential strategies for enhancing personnel training in national oral health programs.

Life satisfaction and peace of mind among dentists: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to identify the factors associated with the life satisfaction and peace of mind (PoM) of dentists not in full-time clinical training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional questionnaires were distributed to dentists in Taiwan to collect their life satisfaction, PoM, sociodemographic data, and dental career-related characteristics. Life satisfaction was measured using a 5-item Satisfaction with Life Scale. PoM was measured using a 7-item Peace of Mind Scale. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models were estimated to explore potential associations between the two scales and the examined factors. RESULTS: A total of 1196 dentists (45.6% female; mean age = 44.12) completed the questionnaires. The response rate of completed questionnaires from email invitations was 32.9%. On multivariable analysis, life satisfaction and PoM were associated with age (b = 0.008 in both), better perceived health (b = 0.262 and 0.308, respectively), family interaction (b = 0.264 and 0.207, respectively), and friend relationships (b = 0.076 and 0.091, respectively). Being married (b = 0.191), being specialized (b = 0.127), working in private practice, and spending 10 to 39 h per week with patients (b = 0.101 to 0.162) were associated with a higher level of life satisfaction but not PoM. CONCLUSIONS: Specialists working in private practice without working overtime were associated with better life satisfaction. However, the dentists' health and relationships with family were more related to their subjective well-being than their professional achievements. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our findings can help policymakers increase awareness of the well-being of general dentists and those in academia or hospitals to promote their mental health.

Reopening of a school of dentistry in the era of COVID-19 pandemic, "Step-by-step" approach.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has a great impact on all aspects of higher education worldwide. In Iran, after several months of lockdown, all dental schools coped with the challenge of "reopening." School of Dentistry of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) planned to facilitate the process of reopening using a "step-by-step" approach. The aim of this study was sharing our experiences of reopening of the school during the pandemic. METHODS: TUMS School of Dentistry planned a "step-by-step" approach of reopening of school to both provide infrastructure of online education for theoretical credits and reassure all staff and students about infection control for practical courses. Also, a two-section survey on students' satisfaction with a variety of aspects of reopening process and the clinical performance of students in different clinical courses was conducted. RESULTS: Findings showed 65.1% of the students, attended the survey, were satisfied with reopening of the school. Also, 86.4% were satisfied with the new online method of education for theoretical courses. Regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) provided for the students, 22.9% and 56.5% of them were satisfied and moderately satisfied, respectively. Additionally, 78.2% of the students were satisfied with the newly developed online assessment method. CONCLUSION: Although reopening of schools during COVID-19 pandemic seems enigmatic for all authorities and students, the "step-by-step" plan designed by TUMS School of dentistry including emotional and infrastructural prerequisites might be a reliable method for all people, who are in charge of management of dental school in uncertain crisis.

Accessibility to student publication in dental journals in the world

Scientific research and publication play an important role during the training of dentists, but one of the most outstanding barriers is the authorship conditions of the journals. Aim: The objective of the study was to determine the accessibility to student publication in dental journals in the world. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out. 208 journals indexed in Scimago Journal & Country Rank that met inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. The instructions for the authors were reviewed, an email was subsequently sent to the journal contact and articles with student affiliation were searched in the database of each journal. For the analysis of the descriptive statistical data of frequencies and percentage, the IBM SPPS Statistics Standard Edition 22 program was used. Results: 208 journals were included, 77.67% accepted the student publication without condition. The United States, United Kingdom and India were the countries with the highest number of journals with student participation. Likewise, the journals of Q4 (85.70%), Q3 (85.40%) and Basic Sciences (100%), Dental Education (100%), Endodontic (100%), Geriatrics and Gerontology (100%) and Public Dental Health (100%), mostly accepted student authorship. Conclusion: It is concluded that 167 (77.67%) of the dental journals accept the publication of dental students without condition, being more frequent in journals positioned in Q4 (85.70%). Also, journals with thematic areas on Basic Sciences, Dental Education, Endodontic, Geriatrics and Gerontology and Public Dental Health

A model for implementing oral health-promoting school: Integration with dental students' educational curriculum: A protocol study.

BACKGROUND: Schools are ideal setting for children's oral health-promoting programs. It is an integrated model for oral health-promoting schools (OHPS) with the capacities of dental school's curriculum and dental students as workforces. In this protocol, the principle of planning and implementation of the oral health program is described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on the PRECEDE-Policy, Regulatory, and Organizational Constructs in Educational and Environmental Development (PROCEED) planning model, a framework for determining the potential predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors that could be intervening was diagnosed. To adapt the phases of the planning model for integration of the "OHPS" principles and the dental students' curriculum, the following steps are supposed to be considered: Phases 1-5 which are to assess the baseline data will include the assessment of children oral health status and parents and teachers' knowledge, attitude, and performance. Phase 6 or implementation phase will be allocated to oral health education interventions for students, parents, and teachers, professional screening, prevention, and referral. Phase 7 or the process assessment phase will be to record the number of screened students, the amount of fissure sealant and fluoride provision, and percentage of trained parents and teachers. Phase 8 or the impact assessment phase will assess the students' improvement in knowledge and practice, decayed, missing, and filled teeth scores, teachers and mothers' oral health attitudes and behaviors, and brushing and flossing behaviors. At the last, cost analysis of the program and long-term monitoring of the interventions is suggested. CONCLUSION: In case that the effectiveness of this model is proven, it can be implemented by other dental schools for the primary schools in their regions. Considering the number and distribution of dental schools in the country, this model is executable as targeted population oral health promotion approach in 6-12-year-old schoolchildren.

THE PREVALENCE OF RUBBER DAM AMONG DENTISTS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To assess the actual prevalence of rubber dam usage among general dentists. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: Surveyed participants were offered a questionnaire containing 14 questions about gender, country of origin, clinical experience, time and place of acquisition of skills of rubber dam, as well as the frequency of its usage. RESULTS: Results: 30.69% of dentists always use rubber dams for direct restorations; 74.26% always use rubber dams during root canals treatment; 36.3% always use rubber dam for bonding indirect restorations. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The prevalence of rubber usage among general dentists shows positive growth dynamics, but the frequency is still considered insufficient.

Immediate impact of bringing a school to the community with a new community-based clinical education program.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the implementation of a community-based clinical education (CBCE) program at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry (SOD) and the preliminary outcomes on dental students and affiliated clinics. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out of SOD CBCE program implementation and program data between March 2018 and June 2019 related to patient encounters, pre- and post-rotation student self-assessments, student exit surveys and surveys administered to faculty within affiliate clinics. RESULTS: In five academic quarters, 133 students delivered care for 7556 patients and completed 12,467 procedures in underserved communities. Students reported increased confidence across 14 areas of self-assessment. The percentage of students reporting future plans of working in public health clinics upon graduation increased from 6% to 19%. Affiliate clinic faculty indicated increased care delivery for underserved patients, appointment availability, and job satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The newly implemented UCLA SOD CBCE program preliminarily yielded immediate positive outcomes for SOD students and affiliate community clinics.

Evaluation of Knowledge on Emergency Management of Avulsed Teeth Among Turkish Medical and Dental Students

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of medical and dental students regarding the emergency management of avulsed teeth. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional survey study was performed on 1841 students. Medical (n=746) and dental (n=845) students from different universities were included in this study. A questionnaire about the emergency management of avulsed teeth was conducted on the students. Also, 250 medical students from 3rd grade were included in the study and trained. The questionnaire was applied twice, before and after the training on the subject. Results: The mean correct answer scores were similar among the medical students in different grades (p>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the trained medical students and clinical dental students' correct answer scores, but there was a significant difference between the pre-clinical (1st-2nd-3rd years) and clinical (4th-5th years) dental students (p<0.01). Conclusion: Medical and preclinical dental students had lack of knowledge about the emergency management of avulsed teeth, while clinical dental and trained medical students were very knowledgeable. This result indicates the importance of education (AU).

Educação em Saúde Bucal com plataformas digitais em tempos de COVID-19: relato de experiencia

Introdução:A pandemia da COVID-19 impôs o isolamento social e causou um reordenamento da educação em todos os níveis e modalidades. Objetivo:Relatar umaexperiência bem-sucedida de readaptação de ações em Educação e Promoção de Saúde Bucal realizadas remotamente em um município do Estado de Mato Grosso, por meio de plataformas digitais, como forma de reduzir os danos relacionados com a falta de orientação profissional presencial.Resultados:A experiência mostrou que as crianças se adaptaram ao modelo virtual e mantiveram-se motivadas a realizarem a higiene bucal. Não foi possível realizar a escovação supervisionada nas crianças pois os pais não aderiram às palestras realizadas de maneira virtual. Conclusão:Essa experiência permitiu verificar que atividades educacionais curtas e pontuais, realizadas de maneira virtual e síncrona, podem ser estratégias úteis para levar a Educação em Saúde Bucal para crianças, sobretudo em contextos de isolamento social.

Enfermedad periodontal inmunoinflamatoria crónica y factores de riesgo en adolescentes de instituciones deportivas / Chronic immune-inflammatory periodontal disease and risk factors in adolescents from sports institutions

RESUMEN Fundamento: La enfermedad periodontal inmunoinflamatoria crónica se considera un problema de salud bucal a escala mundial; los deportistas también son susceptibles de padecerla. Objetivo: Identificar el estado periodontal de adolescentes de la Escuela de Iniciación Deportiva Provincial Lino Salabarría de Sancti Spíritus. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal durante el curso 2020-2021. La población se constituyó por 810 adolescentes de 7.mo a 12.mo grados de la Escuela de Iniciación Deportiva Provincial Lino Salabarría de Sancti Spíritus; se seleccionó la muestra de 36 mediante muestreo probabilístico, aleatorio simple estratificado. Se estudiaron las variables estado periodontal y factores de riesgo. Se determinó el estado periodontal mediante el índice de Rusell y la higiene bucal por el de higiene bucal simplificado. Resultados: Se constató que el 94.4 % de los adolescentes presentó gingivitis y solo el 5.6 % periodontitis. El 100 % presentó higiene bucal deficiente, el 94.2 % apiñamiento dentario y el 91.7 % cálculo dental. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los adolescentes presentó gingivitis y entre los factores de riesgo se constató la totalidad con higiene bucal deficiente y casi todos con apiñamiento dentario y cálculo dental.

ABSTRACT Background: Chronic immune-inflammatory periodontal disease is considered a worldwide oral health problem; athletes are also susceptible to it. Objective: To identify the periodontal state of adolescents from the Sancti Spíritus Provincial Sports Initiation School Lino Salabarría. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was conducted during the 2020-2021 school year. The population consisted of 810 adolescents from 7th to 12th grades from the Sancti Spíritus Provincial Sports Initiation School Lino Salabarría; the sample of 36 was selected by stratified simple random probability sampling. The variables periodontal state and risk factors were studied. Periodontal status was determined by Rusell index and oral hygiene by the simplified oral hygiene index. Results: It was found that 94.4 % of adolescents had gingivitis and only 5.6 % had periodontitis. 100 % presented poor oral hygiene, 94.2 % dental crowding and 91.7 % dental calculus. Conclusions: Most adolescents presented gingivitis and among the risk factors, all had poor oral hygiene also almost all had dental crowding and dental calculus.

Diagnostic accuracy of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders for children aged 8-12 years.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Objective of this study was to determine whether the diagnostic accuracy of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) is sufficient for use among schoolchildren aged 8-12 years. METHODS: This prospective cohort study on diagnostic accuracy with calibrated examiners was conducted among 533 children of both sexes aged 8-12 years, with and without TMD symptoms, selected randomly from the Rhein-Neckar district. Self-reporting of non-dental facial pain was used as the reference standard, against which we calculated the following for the pain-related items of the DC/TMD (index test): sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, diagnostic odds ratio, accuracy and 95% Wilson Score confidence intervals. We also calculated the area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve displaying sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Our final sample consisted of 282 children, half of whom reported having facial pain and 3.2% reported sounds from the temporomandibular joints (TMJs). Despite high specificity (90.78%; 95% confidence interval (CI): [84.86%; 94.53%]), sensitivity of the adapted DC/TMD for pain on maximum jaw opening was poor (37.59%; 95% CI: [30.02%; 45.81%]). For pain on palpation, more similar values were recorded for sensitivity (74.47%; 95% CI: [66.69%; 80.95%]) and specificity (70.21%; 95% CI: [62.21%; 77.14%]). The diagnostic odds ratio was >1 for both examinations. The AUROC for pain on opening was 68.39% (95% CI: [62.62%; 74.16%]), and for pain on palpation, it was 74.63% (95% CI: [69.45%; 79.81%]), whereas the combination of both resulted to an AUROC of 74.09% (95% CI: [68.96%; 79.21%]). It was not possible to measure the diagnostic accuracy of the DC/TMD regarding TMJ sounds or jaw-opening limitations, as they occurred too rarely in our sample. CONCLUSION: In this study, the diagnostic accuracy of the DC/TMD for TMD-related pain in children was lower than that recorded for adults in previous studies.

Relación entre perfil de ingreso y rendimiento académico línea curricular morfofunción: carrera de odontología, Universidad de la Frontera - Chile / Relationship between applicant's profile and academic performance, curricular design morphofunction, school of dentistry, Universidad de la Frontera - Chile

El Rendimiento Académico es un concepto multifactorial en el que inciden aspectos internos, como las características propias del estudiante, y externos como el tipo de diseño curricular de cada institución. El propósito de este trabajo fue mejorar la disposición de recursos de apoyo educativo en estudiantes en riesgo de reprobación, con el objeto de elevar la calidad de la formación profesional de los odontólogos de la Universidad de La Frontera, identificando aquellos factores del Perfil de Ingreso que influyen en el Rendimiento Académico durante los primeros tres años de la carrera. Estudio cuantitativo observacional analítico con diseño de Cohorte Retrospectiva, la población fueron 222 estudiantes de odontología de las cohortes 2014, 2015 y 2016. Las variables estudiadas fueron promedio de PSU, promedio NEM, promedio Ranking, género, ascendencia mapuche, región de procedencia, establecimiento de procedencia (según tipo de establecimiento y régimen educativo) y quintil de ingreso. Se obtuvo que el promedio PSU solo influye en el primer semestre de la carrera (p=0,000); el promedio NEM presentó una correlación positiva en el quinto (p=0,002) y sexto semestre (p=0,048); el promedio Ranking mostró una correlación positiva en el quinto semestre (p=0,005); las diferencias por género fueron estadísticamente significativas del tercer semestre al sexto (p=0,012; p=0,041; p=0,000; p=0,006 respectivamente); según tipo de establecimiento las diferencias son estadísticamente significativas en los dos primeros semestres (p=0,009; p=0,020) y en el cuarto (p=0,038) y quinto semestre (p=0,011); existe diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los establecimientos Particulares Subvencionado y los Municipales en el Área de Ciencias Básicas (p=0,010); la región de procedencia, el quintil de ingreso y la ascendencia mapuche no tiene incidencia en el RA. Valor de p < 0,05 umbral para la significancia estadística.

Academic Performance is a multifactorial concept in which internal factors, such as the student's personal characteristics, and external elements, such as the curricular design of each educational institution, come into play. The purpose of this essay was to improve the resources of educational support for students at risk of failure, in order to strengthen the quality of the professional training of dentists at Universidad de la Frontera, identifying key factors in Applicant's Profiles that affect Academic Performance during the first three years of studies. Analytic quantitative observational study with Retrospective Cohort design, the population consisted of 222 Dentistry students of 2014, 2015, and 2016 cohorts. The analyzed variables were the scholastic aptitude test (PSU) average, NEM average, class ranking average, sex, Mapuche ethnicity, region of provenance, establishment of origin (according to type of establishment and educational regime) and income quintile. Results showed that PSU scores only affect the first semester of studies (p=0,000); NEM score presented a positive correlation in the fifth (p=0,002) and sixth semester (p=0,048); class ranking showed a positive correlation in fifth semester (p=0,005); sex differences were statistically significant from the third until the sixth semester (p=0,012; p=0,041; p=0,000; p=0,006 respectively); differences in the type of establishments are statistically significant in the first two semesters (p=0,009; p=0,020) and in the fourth (p=0,038) and fifth semesters (p=0,011); there exists statistically significant differences between Private Subsidized schools, and municipal schools in the area of Basic Sciences (p=0,010); the region of provenance, the income quintile and Mapuche ethnicity do not impact the RA. A p < 0,05 threshold for statistical significance.

School environment and oral health promotion: the National Survey of School Health (PeNSE) / Ambiente escolar e promoção de saúde bucal: a Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE)

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the potential support of schools for oral health promotion and associated factors in Brazilian capitals. METHODS Data from 1,339 public and private schools of the 27 Brazilian capitals were obtained from the National Survey of School Health (PeNSE) 2015. Data from the capitals were obtained from the United Nations Development Program and the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System (Datasus). The indicator " ambiente escolar promotor de saúde bucal " (AEPSB - oral health promoting school environment) was designed from 21 variables of the school environment with possible influence on students' oral health employing the categorical principal components analysis (CATPCA). Associations between the AEPSB and characteristics of schools, capitals and regions were tested (bivariate analysis). RESULTS Ten variables comprised CAPTCA, after excluding those with low correlation or high multicollinearity. The analysis resulted in a model with three dimensions: D1. Within-school aspects (sales of food with added sugar in the canteen and health promotion actions), D2. Aspects of the area around the school (sales of food with added sugar in alternative points) and D3. prohibitive policies at school (prohibition of alcohol and tobacco consumption). The sum of the scores of the dimensions generated the AEPSB indicator, dichotomized by the median. From the total of schools studied, 51.2% (95%CI 48.5-53.8) presented a more favorable environment for oral health (higher AEPSB). In the capitals, this percentage ranged from 36.6% (95%CI 23.4-52.2) in Rio Branco to 80.4% (95%CI 67.2-89.1) in Florianópolis. Among the Brazilian regions, it ranged from 45.5% (95%CI 40.0-51.2) in the North to 67.6% (95%CI 59.4-74.9) in the South. Higher percentages of schools with higher AEPSB were found in public schools [58.1% (95%CI 54.9-61.2)] and in capitals and regions with higher Human Development Index [61.0% (95%IC 55.8-66.0) and 57.4% (95%CI 53.2-61.4), respectively] and lower Gini index [55.7% (95%CI 51.2-60.0) and 52.8 (95%CI 49.8-55.8), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS The potential to support oral health promotion in schools in Brazilian capitals, assessed by the AEPSB indicator, was associated with contextual factors of schools, capitals and Brazilian regions.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Avaliar o potencial de suporte do ambiente escolar para a promoção da saúde bucal e fatores associados nas capitais brasileiras. MÉTODOS Os dados de 1.339 escolas públicas e privadas das 27 capitais brasileiras foram obtidos da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2015. Os dados das capitais foram obtidos do Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento e do Datasus. Foi elaborado o indicador "ambiente escolar promotor de saúde bucal" (AEPSB), a partir de 21 variáveis do ambiente escolar com possível influência na saúde bucal dos escolares empregando a análise de componentes principais para dados categóricos (CATPCA). Associações entre o AEPSB e características das escolas, das capitais e das regiões foram testadas (análises bivariadas). RESULTADOS Dez variáveis compuseram a CAPTCA, após exclusão daquelas com baixa correlação ou alta multicolinearidade. A análise resultou em modelo com três dimensões: D1. aspectos intraescolares (venda de alimentos com açúcar adicionado na cantina e ações de promoção de saúde), D2. aspectos do entorno escolar (venda de alimentos com açúcar adicionado em pontos alternativos) e D3. políticas proibitivas na escola (proibição do consumo de álcool e tabaco). A soma dos escores das dimensões gerou o indicador AEPSB, dicotomizado pela mediana. Do total de escolas estudadas, 51,2% (IC95% 48,5-53,8) apresentaram ambiente mais favorável à saúde bucal (maior AEPSB). Nas capitais, esse percentual variou de 36,6% (IC95% 23,4-52,2) no Rio Branco a 80,4% (IC95% 67,2-89,1) em Florianópolis. Entre as regiões brasileiras, variou de 45,5% (IC95% 40,0-51,2), no Norte a 67,6% (IC95% 59,4-74,9) no Sul. Percentuais maiores de escolas com maior AEPSB foram encontrados na rede pública [58,1% (IC95% 54,9-61,2)] e em capitais e regiões com maior índice de desenvolvimento humano [61,0% (IC95% 55,8-66,0) e 57,4% (IC95% 53,2-61,4), respectivamente] e menor índice de Gini [55,7% (IC95% 51,2-60,0) e 52,8 (IC95% 49,8-55,8), respectivamente]. CONCLUSÕES O potencial de suporte à promoção da saúde bucal de escolas das capitais brasileiras, avaliado pelo indicador AEPSB, foi associado a fatores contextuais das escolas, das capitais e das regiões brasileiras.

Hábitos de higiene bucal y caries dental en escolares de primer año de tres escuelas públicas / Oral hygiene habits and dental caries in first-grade school children of three public schools

Introducción: los factores asociados a la producción de caries en la infancia son dietéticos y ambientales. Los primeros incluyen el alto consumo de dulces y líquidos endulzados, y en los segundos se circunscriben el bajo nivel educativo, la ausencia de hábitos higiénicos y la falta de accesibilidad a los servicios de salud. Objetivo: establecer la relación entre los hábitos de higiene bucal y caries dental en escolares de primer año de primaria de tres escuelas públicas. Metodología: estudio correlacional-analítico, se aplicó una encuesta a 259 niños y a sus padres sobre hábitos de higiene bucal. Se valoró clínicamente la boca y dentadura de los infantes. La prueba de hipótesis fue con coeficiente de correlación de Pearson y análisis de regresión lineal. Resultados: la prevalencia de caries fue del 51%, la presencia de caries clase I fue mayor en escolares de la escuela de nivel socioeconómico bajo (33%). La frecuencia de cepillado dental es de dos veces o menos al día, con omisión del cepillado nocturno. Conclusiones: el consumo de dulces, aunado a la menor frecuencia de cepillado, se asoció a caries, sobre todo en la población de la escuela primaria de nivel socioeconómico bajo.

Introduction: The factors associated with the production of caries in childhood are dietary and environmental. The former include the high consumption of sweets and sweetened liquids and in the latter, the low educational level, the absence of hygienic habits and the lack of accessibility to health services are circumscribed. Objective: To establish the relationship between oral hygiene habits and dental caries in first-grade public elementary school students. Methods: Correlational-analytical study, a survey was applied to 259 children and their parents on oral hygiene habits. The mouth and teeth of the infants were clinically evaluated. The hypothesis test was with a Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of caries was 51%, the presence of class I caries was higher in school children of low socioeconomic level (33%). The frequency of tooth brushing is twice or less per day with omission of night brushing. Conclusions: The consumption of sweets combined with a lower frequency of brushing was associated with caries, especially in the population of the primary school of low socioeconomic status.

Evaluating the quality of education at dentistry school of tehran university of medical sciences.

BACKGROUND: Educational evaluation is a process which deals with data collection and assessment of academic activities' progress. In this research, educational evaluation of Dentistry School of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, which trains students in undergraduate and residency courses, was studied. METHODS: This descriptive study was done with a model of educational evaluation in ten steps and 13 fields including purposes and mission objectives, management and organization, academic board members, students, human resources and support, educational, research, health and treatment spaces, educational, diagnostic, research and laboratory tools, educational, research, health and treatment programs and courses, process of teaching and learning, evaluation and assessment, alumni, and patients satisfaction. Data were collected using observation, interviews, questionnaires, and checklists. RESULTS: Results of the study were mainly qualitative and in some cases quantitative, based on defined optimal situation. The total mean of qualitative results of educational evaluation of dentistry school in all 13 fields was 55.98% which is relatively desirable. In the case of quantitative ones, results of some fields such as treatment quality of patients and education and learning of the students were relatively desirable (61.32% and 60.16% respectively). CONCLUSION: According to the results, educational goals and missions, educational and research facilities and spaces which were identified as the weakest areas need to be considered and paid more serious attention.

Assessment of Stress Level among Dental School Students: An Indian Outlook.

BACKGROUND: Evaluating the factors influence student perception, might allow programmatic changes designed to enhance students' psychosocial well-being and academic performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate perceived sources of stress on dental students and the role of parents in their career choice decisions. METHODS: In a cross-sectional design, a modified dental environmental stress questionnaire was administered to all dental students. The responses to the questionnaire were based on a four-point Lickert scale, not stressful to severely stressful. Means and standard deviations were determined for stress scores of individuals for each item and were used to compare the classes, genders, and choices. Student's t, one way ANOVA, and Newman Keuls multiple comparison post hoc tests were used to analysed the data at the significant level of P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 304 undergraduate students constituted the study population. Of the respondent, 60% were men and 40% were women. The final year students presented with higher stress scores. In gender comparison, men suffered more stress (62.9%) than women (60.1%). According to the career choice decision, students forced by parents had more perception of stress (69.0%) and the students staying in the hostel (62.7%) showed more perception of stress than day scholars (56.3%). CONCLUSION: The study indicates that the congenial environment needs to be created for dental education and the parents also need to be counselled against forcing their children to join an educational programme i.e. not of their choice.

Current status of dental geriatric education in Korea / 대한치과보철학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the current status of dental geriatric education in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One of the faculty members related in geriatric education was selected in each Korean dental school and the questionnaire on geriatric dental education was sent to them by e-mail. The questionnaire consists of the topics about undergraduate geriatric education and administration of the geriatric education. The information obtained from the questionnaire was compared with that of other countries in the aspects of curriculum, teaching methods, subjects, and existence of specific clinics, etc. RESULTS: Seven schools have geriatric dentistry in undergraduate education curriculum. Among those, only two schools had it taught by theoretical lecture as well as clinical lecture. Two dental schools had specific geriatric clinic among seven dental schools. Compared with the USA and western European countries, the geriatric dental education in Korea is at a developing stage and was perfunctory without diverse clinical experience. CONCLUSION: In Korean dental schools, geriatric education was mostly conducted by lectures, and clinical teaching programs were not well organized compared with developed countries. It seems that the status of geriatric dental education in Korea has not been well established academically or administratively yet.

Evaluation of the Ministry of Health school oral health programme in the West Bank region of Palestine

This paper reports an evaluation of the activities and outcomes of the school oral health programme conducted by the Ministry of Health in public schools in the West Bank region of Palestine from 1997-98 to 2003-04. Retrospective analysis of official records focused on oral health indices and student referrals. A slight improvement in DMFT scores in students in some governorates in the last 2 years showed some progress in caries control. However, maintenance efforts are required to ensure that caries level does not rise in disease-stable areas, and an increase in strategic effort is required to address the high caries level in high-risk areas. In-depth interviews with stakeholders identified the strengths and weaknesses of the screening programme and recommendations for improvements

Study on the urgent matter of school-based dental preventive program in Vietnam

The school-based dental preventive program has been developed strongly in many areas of the whole country. Especially, the program has been covered at level of province such as Ninh B×nh and Nam §Þnh. Its preventive results were very high. Dental caries were reduced and periodontal status is improved. Through the study of fluoride concentration in the natural water, we determine that the use of fluoride mouthwash for children at school is necessary to reduce dental caries.

Activities and effects of school dentistry on oral health problems in primary students of an inner district of Ha Noi

Primary schools in Dong Da district were involved in this study. It was found that 75% of schools have implemented 2 or more contents of school dentistry program, in which 35% of schools have implemented completely 4 contents of program. Factors that have affected to school dentistry are school health worker, cooperation of multi sectors, teacher and training material; student health insurance. School dentistry program has effected on acknowledge, practice and incidence of oral health problems. Need of parents for children oral health care at school is high.